Structural assembly



E. N. wlNsLow STRUCTURAL ASSEMBLY June 4, 1940.

Filed oct. 15. i937 5 sheets-sheet 2 Juil@ 4, 1940 E. N. wlNsLow2,202,881

STRUCTURAL ASSEMBLY Fild oct. 15, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 fi? i will Ei!BMM/MM ATTORNEY June 4, 1940.

E. N. wlNsLow 2,202,881 STRUCTURAL ASSEMBLY v Filed Oct. l5, 1957 5Sheets-Sheet 4 ATTOR NEY June 4, 1940. E. N. wlNsLow STRUCTURAL ASSEMBLYFiled Oct. .15,- 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 l N VE N TIO R Edu/did Mfr/@7053Mus/010 BY We# ffl/m ATTO R N EY l il itl

Patented June 4, 1940 lSTATES rATsNT orties 12- Claims.

This invention relates to a structural assembly and more particularly toan assembly of members adaptedl to be built up into a variety ofpartitions, Walls, cabinets, structural units and structural frames.

ln the construction of. interior Walls and partitions, cabinets, cases,door frames and trims, it is usually necessary to satisfy a largevariety of Wall types and conditions. It is desirable that the variouspreformed parts be of such design that a minimum number of different shaes and sizes are suiiicient to satisfy all of the various conditionsmet. Preferably, the parts should be so shaped and dimensioined thatthey can be combined and interchanged in various ways to form a largevariety of different types oi partin tions or other products mentionedabove.

In partitions constructed from preicrmed parts, it is` particularlydesirable thatk the several parts be connected together rigidly andsecurely when the partition is erected soY that the parti tion will notrattle or be loose and' will be propu erly supported on itspredetermined base in a building. It is important that the partition besecured firmly and positively to the floor or base upon which it restsand, Where it is a full height partition, it sho-uid also be securelyattached tcthe ceiling.

In o-rder to conform with modern designs, it is often desirable that thepartition shall be relatively plain and formed with as few projectionsand indentations as possible in the exposed wall forming faces of thevarious members, and it is often desired that the exposed Wall formingfaces of the various members lie substantially in a. single plane or ina relatively small number of offset planes.

According to the present invention, suitable frame members. such asposts and the like, are

formed by suitably shaped key members of novel form which are securedtogether' in pairs 'and adapted to receive the edges of panel formingmembers, door frame members, transom frame members and the like.Preferably, the key members are spaced at equal widths and the memberswith which they cooperate are similarly spaced throughout the partitionand thus are adapted interchangeably to receive the various members withwhich they cooperate. Preferably, substantially all of the principalmembers which have portions thereof adapted to be eX- posed as exteriorWall surfaces are so formed that when erected 'to form a partition, theexposed surfaces lie substantially in a plane thus ,providing a.substantially iiush wall surface at (Cl. 18S-34) each face of thepartition. This is accomplished by forming the several members withinwardly projecting portions adapted to engage structural supportingmembers Within the space between the tWo faces of the partition, theportions of these members Which are exposed as Wall surfaces beingoffset sufficiently so that all of these surfaces are substantiallyiiush.

The invention also includes the provisional" a novel oor supportingmember which is readily secured in position on the iloor on which thepartition is to be erectedl and cooperates with the partition members torigidly and securely lock them in erected position. The oor members areso formed as to be fully interchangeable throughout the partition andreadily locked to the other members of the partition Without requiringscrews, bolts or securing means other than a simply installed andreadily removable clip arrangement. The invention also provides a noveldevice for securing the partition rigidly and securely to a ceilingWhere the partition is adapted to extend to the full height of the room.

According to the invention, there is also provided a novel spacing andsecuring member for interconnection with the post, base cover and u postcap, which securely maintains these nien.n bers. in assembly andproperly spaced relation,

An object of the invention is. the provision of a simple and flexiblestructural assembly which can be made from a relatively small number ofmaster parts which are so interchangeable that any variety of structuralconditions will be satisfied.

Another object of my invention is to provide a few simple devicesadapted to interlock and bind with the various structural parts to rmlyand rigidly hold the structural assembly in setn up condition, whichsecuring devices can further more be easily disconnected or removed soas` to permit the ready disassembly of the structure.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a simple and readilyassembled supporting and positioning structure which securely andrigidlyv positions the partition on the floor or other structure onwhich the structure is erected.

Various other features and advantages of the invention will be apparentfrom the following particular description and from an inspection of theaccompanying drawings.

Although the novel features which are believed yto be characteristic ofthis invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims appendedhereto, the invention itself, as to its objects and il l) advantages,and the manner in which it may be carried out, may be better understoodby referring to the following description taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings forming a part thereof, in which:

Fig. l is a fragmentary side elevational view showing a portion of apartition constructed in accordance with the invention, the partitionshown for the purposes of illustration being one having both a glazedpanel unit and a pluralityy of solid panel units;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken along line 2 2 ofFig. 1 and illustrating the interior construction of a glazed panelunit;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken along line 3 3 ofFig. l and illustrating the interior construction at the post betweentwo adjacent panel units;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view taken along line 4 4 ofFig. 1 and illustrating the construction at each post intermediate asolid panel unit and a glazed panel unit;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary, exploded perspective view showing a ceilingclip and a portion of four associated post-forming keys;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational View adjacent the lowerportion of a post, certain of the parts being broken away to show theinterior construction;

Fig. '7 is a horizontal sectional view taken along line 1 1 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 8 8 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is a Vertical sectional View taken along line 9 9 of Fig. 6;

Fig, 10 is a sectional view taken along line lll-I of Fig. 6;

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the spacer for spacing and securing thebase covers and post covers;

Fig. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the several members formingthe assembly for securing the panel units together at the floor, Sub-Figures 12A to 12E, inclusive, representing the floor stud, the mastershim, the simple shim, the male clip and the female clip respectively;and

Fig. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary View of a post cap.

In the following description and in the claims, various details will beidentied by specific names for convenience, but they are intended to beas generic in their application as the art will permit. Like referencecharacters denote like parts in the several figures of the drawings.

In the drawings accompanying and forming part of this specification,certain specific disclosure of the invention is made for purposes ofexplanation, but it will be understood that the details may be modifiedin various respects without departure from the broad aspect of theinvention.

Referring now particularly to Fig. l, there is shown for the purposes ofillustration, a partition constructed in accordance with the presentinvention. The partition includes a plurality of solid panel units laand Ib and a glazed panel unit 2, which latter may include a solidportion and a glazed portion 6 suitably mounted in a frame 6,hereinafter more fully described. Intermediate each pair of panel unitsla, Ib and 2 are post covers 3 covering the space between the ends ofthe panel units and forming portions of the wall surfaces of thepartition. Extending continuously across the base of all of the panelunits la, Ib and 2 is a base cover I`4.

Referring now to Fig. 7, the solid panel unit la may include a pair ofspaced and generally parallel panel sheets 4|), each of which ispreferably formed of a metal sheet having at its upright edges inturnedflanges 4|. Flange extensions 42 project from the inner ends of theflanges 4l and generally parallel to the outer face of the panel sheet.The top and bottom edges of the panel sheet 40 are also formed withinturned flanges 43 having vertical flange extensions 44. In certaincases, the flanges 4I and 43, as well as the extensions 42 and 44 areformed integral.

The panel sheets 40 are maintained in spaced parallel relation by spacedupright key members l hereinafter more fully described, which formframing members of the panel units. The key members 'l are in turnmaintained in spaced upright relation by a floor assembly, designatedgenerally by the reference numeral 8, and by a ceiling clip 30. Ifdesired, additional clip assemblies 9y` may be interposed between thefloor assembly 8 and the ceiling clip 30.

The key member 'I (Fig. 5) may be generally described as a tubing madefrom a single sheet which is crimped and locked together in such a wayas to provide a member of unusual strength. The key member comprisesface portions 69 and 'lll which provide abutments as hereinafterdescribed.

A wall portion 'Il extends from the face 'I0 and terminates in a flangeportion 12, which is spaced from portion H to permit the insertiontherebetween of the flange extension 42 of the corresponding panel sheet40. The free edge 'I3 of the flange portion 'l2 may be rounded off tofacilitate insertion of the flange extension. A shoulder portion 14forms an acute angle with the face E9 for a purpose hereafter to bedescribed. A wall portion 'l5 extends from the shoulder portions 'l4,closely hugs the wall portion 1| and terminates in a return lip portion'16, which grips and locks with the connected end of the lower end ofwall portion 12, in such a way as to form, in effect, an interlockedseam, similar to the interlocked seam of the well known seamed tubing.

From a comparatively narrow gauge metal sheet, I have thus been able toproduce a structural member of unusual strength and rigidity. The keymember 'I forms a part of every straightway, two-way, three-way,four-way and dead end post. In addition, the key member l forms a partof certain other framing and structural members not herein shown, butshown and described in my copending application hereinafter identied.

Referring now particularly to Figs. 3, 6 and 13, the structure isanchored to the floor by means of a floor stud 2l, formed from a singlestamping of sheet metal into the shape shown in Fig. 12a. The floor studcomprises a floor contacting plate portion 0r base H4 having a pair ofWall portions l l5 cut out therefrom and bent upwardly. Stud formingportions H6 are formed integrally with wall portions H5 and extendupwardly therefrom. The top H1 and the sides H8 of the spindle portionsl i6 are given a rounded contour as is clearly shown in Fig. 12a bysevering the metal, as at H9, and bending the side and top edges of thespindle portions H 5 into the desired form. The rounded contour of thespindle portions facilitates the telescoping of the post securing clipsthereover, as will be described more in detail hereinafter.

The plate portion H4 is provided with a key slot |20, located betweenthe wall portions H5. A floor screw H3 (Fig. 4) is inserted through thekey slot |20 and is. screwed, to the floor F. The key slot |20 permits acertain amount of shifting of the door stud with reference to the floor,permitting the oor stud to be located to accommodate the post position.This iioor stud can be very economically made, and since it can be usedin connection with any type of post, these studs can be shipped to theplace of installation with- .out checking or detailing and can bevsecured to the floor at approximately the correcty location without anythought being given to the type of post which is` to be positioned.thereover.

I have shown in Fig. 12by av master shim 22, which is generallyhorseshoe shaped, and is adapted to be telescoped laterally across thestud 2| so as tok rest upon the plate portion H4 thereof. The mastershim 22 comprises generally a top wall portion |:2|., and downwardlyextending flanges dening side and rear wall portions |22, and a frontwall portion |23. The top wall portion |2| and the front Wall portion|23A are provided with a horseshoe cutout |26: which permits the mastershim to be removed and telescoped laterally into position with respectto the stud. The master shim 22 may be stamped from a single piece ofsheet metal and may be cut at the corners, as shown in Fig. 12b, tofacilitate the bending and shaping thereof. The removal of the mastershim permits the disassembly of the partition for alterations andchanges, by simply driving the same out of position., which permits thepartition structure to drop down.

To shim up the partition the desired height, I provide a simple shim 23(Fig. 12C) one or more of which may be placed upon the master shim 22 asmay be necessary to providev a sufficient elevation of the partition.The simple shim 23 comprises a rectangular piece of sheet metal having,a horseshoe cutout |25 therein. The simple shims can be made up inquantities from waste sheet material which is found around the factory.

In Figs 12d and 12e I have shown a pair of cooperating male and: femaleclips 24 and 25, respectively, used to secure the sectional units intoassembled position. The male clip 24 comprises a top` wall portion |26and side ange portions I2'| along the two sidesl thereof. Each of theflange portions |21 are provided with a retaining lug |23 at each endthereof. Retaining lugs |28 are adapted to engage the outside face ofthe key members to hold the keyed members 'I of each sectional unit fromspreading apart. To permit conduits and wiring to be run through thepost, an aperture |29 is provided in the top wall portion |25 of theclip as clearly shown in Fig. 12d. Lug portions |30 are struck out fromthe flange portion |21 and closely nest between the flanges |32 of thefirst clip 25 to hold the clips cooperatively assembled together whenfour clips are used as in two-way, three-way and fourway posts.

The female clip member 25 (Fig. 12o) comprises a bottom wall portion |3|and upstanding flange portions |32 positioned on opposite sides thereof.A notch |33 is cut near each corner of the plate portion |3| and isarranged to receive the inturned flange portion I5 of the spaced keymember T, as shown for example in Fig. 6. When the male clip member 24is positioned adjacent to the female clip member 25 in the manner moredescribed below, the four spaced key members are securely lockedtogether in rigid assembly. The iiange portions |32 give strength to thefemale clip J25. Downturned flange portions lii' may also be. providedwith outwardly extending lug portions |31 which come into play inconnection with the crating of the sectional units.

The key members 'l may be secured together at their upper ends by aceiling clip 30, shown in detail in Fig. 5. The ceiling clip 30 isformed with a top wall |60, preferably of square shape, andI side walls||5| formed by flanges depending from the side edges of the top wall|60. The clip 310 may be secured to the ceiling C by a screw i321 orother suitable member extending through an opening |63 in the top wall|60.

The side walls |54 are spaced from one another and a notch |00 isprovided in the top wall |00: at each corner. The notches |04 are formedand positioned similarly to the notches |33 of the female clip 25 andreceive the. return lip portions |5 in an analogous manner. Preferably,the side wallsV iii-l. are suitably positioned to abut against the wallportions 'i5 and flanges l2 respectively.

If desired, one or more clip assemblies 9, constituted by a male clip 24and female clip 25, arranged as above described', may be providedintermediate the upper and lower ends of the posts for providingadditional rigidity thereto. However, the floor assembly 8 and theceiling clip 30 will in most cases provide suiiicient stiffness andrigidity.

The space between the adjacent panel units is cov-ered by a post cover 3of generally channel shape and having a web portion Tl adapted to liesubstantially flush withy the wall-forming portions of the panel sheets00 and forming therewith a substantially continuous, flush wall surface.The post cap S is formed with side flanges 00, flange extensions iii andreturn-bend clip portions '|10'. The post cap snaps into place byforcing the clip portions 'it into resilient-engagement with theshoulder portions 'M of the key members i. The flanges 351|v abut thefaces of the inturned upright anges :2|v and the flange extensions ?9bear against the face portions til` of the key members 'i respectively.

The post cap 3 is providedl with openings 8i and notches 82' in theflanges 80 and ange extensions 'S' for cooperation with a spacer member2i, as hereinafter more fully described.

The base covers l are held in assembled position by means of a spacermember 2'!A (shown in detail in Fig. ll) positioned on each side of thepost between the baseboards li. The spacer member 27 comprises generallya body portion |43 having ange portions idd extending laterallytherefrom. An inclined wall portion |45 extends upwardly above the bodyportion |43. The side edges of the inclined portion W5 are spaced fromthe flange portions M54 sufficiently to permit a metal sheet to beinserted therebetween. The upper end of each flange portion |44 isprovided with an outwardly flared lip Mt which is adapted to releasablyengage the upper flange extension |633 of the base cover fi. The lowerend of each ange portion Mii. is provided with a shoulder portion E48and a laterally extending guide portion it?.

The lower end of the base cover t slides on the guide portion lll? andsnaps behind the shoulder portion H33, thus resiliently retaining thebase cover in assembled position. The spacer member El is provided witha pair vof downwardly extending legs |49, to grip and retain special mopstrips (not here shown) applied over the base covers. The free edge ofeach flange portion mit is provided with a pair of. spaced lugs |52 and|53 having flared lips Hifi and |55 adapted,y to enter the.

`venient openings 8| and 02 respectively, of the post cap 3. Spacermembers 21 may also be positioned between posts to strengthen andstiffen the base covers.

Referring now to Fig. 9, the base cover 4 includes a web adapted to beexposed as a wall surface of the partition and a flange |02 adapted toabut the flange 43 of the panel unit 40. The flange |02 has an extension|03 adapted to abut the flange extension 44 and resiliently engage theflared lip |45` of the spacer. The base cover 4 is provided at itsbottom edge with a flange |04 having an upturned lip adapted to engageunder the shoulderl portion |48 of the spacer 21. The flanges |02 and|04 of the base cover are so dimensioned that the web |00 liessubstantially flush with the face of the corresponding panel sheet 40.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, the glazed panel unit 2 preferably mayinclude a solid portion formed by a panel sheet 5 having an inturnedflange 44 provided with a flange extension 45. Mounted above the panelsheet 5 is a frame 6 formed by horizontal frame members 46, 20| and 202(Fig. 2) and vertical frame members 41 (one of which appears in Fig. l).The frame members may have mitered or otherwise suitably shaped edges atthe corners of the frame to permit assembly to form the frame.

The frame member 46 (see Fig. 2) is formed of generally channel shapedcross-section and has a web 50 and side flanges 5|. Extending inwardlyfrom the end of each side flange 5| is a flange extension 52 having anupwardly bent portion 53 and a rebent portion 54 providing a seat forthe flange extension 45 of the panel sheet 5. The web 50 is formed withan offset grooved portion 55 providing a seat for a panel stretcher 56of less thickness than the width of the panel; the panel stretcher 55may be formed of glass,

either transparent or opaque, or of other suitable material. The portionof the web 50 between the side flange 5| and the portion 55 may beformed as illustrated or may be stepped or otherwise shaped to provide adecorative effect.

Each vertical frame member 41 is formed somewhat similarly to thehorizontal frame member 46 and has a web 51, side flanges 5B, inturnedflange extensions 59 and edge portions 50 bent l parallel to the flanges58 and adapted to enter the seats provided by the adjacent keymembers 1. The web 51 is provided with a recessed grooved portion 6|forming a vertical seat for the panel stretcher 56.

The panel sheets 5 which are below the lower vertical frame member 41have flange extensions (not shown) generally similar to the flangeextensions 42 of the panel sheets 40. These flange extensions of thepanel sheets enter the seats provided by the key member 1 below the edgeportions 60 and cooperate with the seats in a manner generally similarto that in which the flange extensions 42 (shown at the right hand sideof Fig. 4) enter and cooperate with the seats in key members 1.

The upper horizontal portion of the frame 6 preferably is formed in amanner generally similar to the lower horizontal 46 but is constitutedby a plurality of members in order to permit coninsertion and removal ofthe panel stretcher 56. The frame member 20| has a ilange 202 forming awall surface, an inturned flange extension 203 and a rebent seat portion204. The frame 20| also has an inner flange 205 and a bent over flangeextension 201.

A filler sheet 208 may extend from the top of the frame 6 to the ceilingC, and may be formed with an inturned flange 209 adapted to abut theflange extension 203 of the frame member 20|, and a flange extension 2|0adapted to enter the rebent seat portion 204 of the frame member 20|.The face of the ller sheet 208 preferably lies substantially flush andin the common plane with the wall-forming faces of the frame member 202and 46 and the panel sheet 5.

On the other side of the partition there is provided a frame member 2|5having a flange 2|6 forming a wall surface, an inturned flange extension2| 2 and a rebent seat portion 2|8. The frame member 2|5 also has aflange 220 and inturned flange extension 22|. An angle member 221 bearsagainst the flange extension 22| and has a tongue 228 seated in therebent seat portion 2|8.

A flller sheet 225 has a face substantially in the plane of the wallportion 2|6 and the corresponding panel sheet and has an inbent portion226 extending along the top surface of the flange 2 2 and the flange 22|and extending along the lower face of the flange 201.

The flanges 206 and 220, together with their extensions 201 and 22|,provide an upper seat for the panel stretcher 56 and also serve toretain the flange 226 and the angle member 221. With this constructionthe panel stretcher 56 is inserted in the seat formed by the portion 55of the lower horizontal frame member 46 and the upper frame portionconstituted by the several members above described may be assembledaround the panel stretcher. When it is desired to remove the panelstretcher, one side of the upper frame structure can be removed and thepanel stretcher can then readily be disassembled from the frame.

In erecting the partition in the field a chalk line is drawn on thefloor to locate the partition run. Holes are drilled in the floor ateach spaced point where a post member is to be erected. The floor studs2| are then secured to the floor by stud bolts which extend through thekeyshaped apertures |20 therein. The stud is preferably positioned asshown in Figs. 3 and 6. A master shim 22 is then slipped over each ofthe stud members 2|.

Where a partition is to be run to a ceiling or the like, as is usuallythe case, it is generally desirable to securely connect the upper end ofthe partition to the ceiling. A ceiling clip |60 is positioned directlyabove each floor stud 2| and may be secured to the ceiling in a suitablemanner, as by a screw |62 extending through the opening |63. The severalkey members 1, forming the post, are secured to the ceiling clip |60 ina manner which will be apparent from the drawings and the foregoingdescription.

Where the partition is erected in the field, it is generally desirableto form sectional panel units before erecting the partition, in whichcase the wall-forming members, such as the panel sheets 40, areassembled with their corresponding key members 1. If desired, the keymembers 1 may be securely fastened to the panel sheets or otherwall-forming members, as by a crimping operation.

The panel units which have heretofore been made up at the plant toconform with the specications are then positioned on the floor betweenthe studs 2| with the lower end of each half post resting on theadjacent master shim 22 of adjacent studs. A female clip 25 is rstconnected by giving a simple twist to the clip in such a Way that theslot portions |33 thereof slip over and hook -lip portions 'lli of thekey members 'I'he male clip 24 is then placed over the female clip andmanipulated so that the lug portions |28 thereof extend along theoutside Walls 15 of the key members l. The male and female clips arethen pressed together and the half posts of adjacent sections are firmlylocked together. Any number of cooperating paired clip members may beused.

The paired clip members 24, '25 may be posin tioned at any place desiredalong the half posts since no deformation or special vconstruction ofthe half posts isv required to receive the paired clips.v This is oftenof great advantage where an unusually strongr connection is desired orWhere the 'sectional units must be pulled together when unusual strainsdevelop. The paired clips at the lower end of sectional units aretelescoped over the rounded stud portions H of the floor stud, as shownin Figs. 6 and 7. The apertures |29 and |34 of the paired clips are soshaped as to conveniently t around the stud. An unusually strongconnection is thus effected.

After the panel units have been erected and locked together in a mannerdescribed, the post caps 3 are inserted in the space between adjacentpanel units and secured by springing the flange extensions 'i8 over theacute-angled edges of the corresponding key members l. It will be notedthat the flanges 8i! of the post caps 3 are of such depth as to positionthe outer faces of the web portions substantially flush with the exposedfaces of the panel sheets 4U.

Each post cover is assembled by engaging the ilange extension |03 overthe outwardly flared Alip |46 of the spacer member 21, the flange |52being urged into rm abutment with the flange 43 of the panel sheet. Theupturned lip |05 at the end of the lower flange |94 is then sprung underthe shoulder portion |48 of the side ange It will now be seen that thepresent invention provides a simple yet highly flexible structuralassembly which can be readily assembled in the eld with a minimum. ofdifiiculty and expense and without the necessity of special tools.

The members forming the partition are iirmly and securely lockedtogether by readily assembled locking members and the partition as awhole is positively secured in predetermined position in the structurein which it is installed. The partition may be disassembled andreadjusted without damage to any o-f the parts and may be completelyremoved from the structure in which it is erected with a minimum of.damage or defacing of the floor, walls and ceiling.

While certain novel. features of the invention have been disclosed andare pointed out in the annexed claims, it will be understood thatvarious omissions, substitutions and changes may be made by thoseskilled in the art without departing from. the spirit of the invention.

This application is in part a continuation of my copending application,Serial No. 613,801, filed May 27, 1932, and now Patent Number 2,097,484,granted November 2, 1937.

What is claimed is:

l. A sheet metal floor stud including a at, floor-contacting base, and aresilient, bifurcate stud forming portion upstanding from said base,said stud forming portion having a smooth exterior to slidably receivean associated post element and a non-circular cross-sectional areaadapted to t the post element and prevent rotation of said elementrelatively to said stud.

2. A shim including a top wall portion, and supporting legs dependingfrom said top wall portion, said shim having an open slot formed in saidtop wall portion extending inwardly from an edge to a point past thecenter of said top wall portion and adapted to accommodate a stud and topermit lateral withdrawal of said shim from the stud.

3. In a structural assembly, a supporting and positioning unit includinga stud having a base and an upstanding stud forming portion, a shimhaving a top wall portion formed with an open slot adapted to receivesaid stud, and legs depending from said top wall portion, said slot andthe adjacent portion yof said stud forming portion being shaped 'toprevent angular displacement of said shim relatively to said stud.

4. A structural assembly including in combination, post members, spacermembers positioned therebetween, a baseboard removably secured to saidspacer members, and post covers removably connecting said spacermembers.

5. A structural assembly including in combination, a post, spacermembers positioned on two sides of said post, and a post coverpositioned on another side of said post and removably secured to saidspacer members.

6. A partition comprising adjacent sectional units, and means forsecuring adjacent sectional units together in assembled relationshipincluding cooperating clip members removably secured to said units, anda oor stud having a foot portion adapted to rest on a floor or base, andan upwardly projecting stud portion projecting through said clipmembers.

'7. In a partition structure, a floor stud formed from` a single sheetmetal member having a flat base and spaced upstanding stud formingportions bent up' from said base, said stud forming portions each vbeingsubstantially unbent and flexible at the portion adjacent said base andlaterally bent and relatively inflexible at a portion removed from saidbase.

8. In a partition, a plurality of spaced panel sheets each having a faceexposed as a Wall surface, a frame having flange portions exposed aswall surfaces, a web extending between said flanges and adapted tosupport a panel member intermediate the planes of the wall surfaces, andinturned flange extensions having edge portions substantially parallelto the wall surfaces, a plurality of key members engaging said panelsheets and said edge portions and secured together to form a post, and apost cap engaging said key members, said panel sheets, frame and postcap each having their Wall surfaces lying substantially iiush in theplanes of the Wall surfaces of the partition.

9. In a partition in combination, a plurality of key members, meanssecuring said key members together to form a post, sheet metal panelsheets extending on opposite sides of said post and having portionsadapted to form a wall surface of said partition and inset edgesdefining shoulders along at least the side and bottom edges of the panelsheets, said side edges engaging said key members, a sheet metal postcap having a portion adapted to form a wall surface of said partitionsubstantially flush with the partition wall surface entirely to thebottom of the partition and portions seated against the shoulders ofsaid panel sheets, and sheet metal base members on both sidesof saidpost having portions forming wall surfaces ush with the Wall surfaces ofsaid panel sheets and post cap and having inturned top edges seatedagainst the bottom shoulders of said panel sheets.

10. In a partition, in combination, a plurality of key members extendingvertically, substantially throughout the height of the partition, meanssecuring said key members together to form a post, panel sheetsextending from said post and having faces exposed as wall surfaces andinbent edges engaging said key members, said inbent edges being formedwith shoulders to provide recessed seats for said key members, and apost cap spanning the space between adjacent panel sheets and having aface portion flush with the faces of said panel sheets, flat flangeportions abutting said shoulders, and inbent edges resiliently engagingsaid key members within said recessed seats.

11. In a partition, in combination, a post, panel sheets engaging saidpost and extending therefrom to define wall surfaces, base covers eX-tending along the bottom of the partition, spacer members disposedbetween said panel sheets and base covers for stifening said partitionand positioning said base covers, a post cap extending vertically alongsaid post between adjacent panel sheets, and means on said spacer memberengageable with said post cap.

12. A wall support including in combination, a floor stud having a floorcontacting portion and an upwardly projecting stud forming portion, amaster shim of horseshoe form having a top wall portion and downwardlyextending flange portions, said master shim being adapted to straddlethe stud forming portion and rest on the oor contacting portion of theiioor stud, and a simple shim adapted to rest on said master shim.

EDWARD NICHOLAS WINSLOW.

